Nigeria: Political Office Age Limits To Be Reduced

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2018 on the occasion of the country’s Democracy Day announced that he will approve a new law to reduce age limits for political office holders, the BBC said. The “Not Too Young To Run Bill” will make it easier for younger candidates to run in next year's general elections. The law reduces the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35 years, and senators and state governors from 35 to 30 years. The minimum age for national and state assembly members will now be 25 years. The move comes after intense pressure from youth groups who complained they were politically marginalised. President Buhari, 75, has announced his intention to run for a second term in 2019.